The Secret Footballer on the Guardian - any guesses?

[Bromavinci]

Just bumping this because as of about 20 minutes ago I didnt know this "Secret Footballer" existed.

I have trawled through the latest stuff (http://www.whoisthesecretfootballer.co.uk/) there is still no definitive answer. Seems the general belief is Dave Kitson, but there are still a few doubts.

Anyoner know more than whats available online??

Any ITK on The Secret Footballer?

 

[Gb160]

Got the book and literally couldn't put it down....seems that the common opinion is its kitson, but there's a growing belief it's being written by a guardian journo from several sources....
Can't recommend it highly enough as it gives a fascinating insight from the players point of view,especially the q & a with the agent explaining how deals are actually conducted....it shines a lot of light on why so much itk turns out completely fruitless.
Maybe one or two members on here should give it a read before the January window,instead of bashing itks when rumoured transfers don't happen.
I'd love to know for certain who TSF is.......anyone?

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Chances are it is pulled from several sources. One of them is definitely Kitson though....I think.

This is what the ES had the other week...

Spy hears it is Dave Kitson, the striker (pictured), formerly of Reading and Stoke City, who is now without a club after just leaving Portsmouth.​

​

The evidence includes: a mention in his column two weeks ago about once being flattened by Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia (there is a YouTube clip of such an incident); another piece from last season expressing empathy with Liverpool’s £35m flop Andy Carroll (Kitson was once Stoke’s record signing but failed to score in his first 18 games and was eventually shipped out); plus a further mention of being relegated from the Premier League and regretting immediately leaving for a rival top flight club (Kitson has said many times how he should never have left Reading after their 2008 relegation for Stoke).​

​

Furthermore, Kitson started his career at lowly Cambridge United, before quickly impressing and getting his move to Reading. In his early career, the Secret Footballer also became “a big fish in a small pond” - and that may not be a reference to his career at The Guardian.​

 

[Gb160]

Chances are it is pulled from several sources. One of them is definitely Kitson though....I think.

This is what the ES had the other week...

Spy hears it is Dave Kitson, the striker (pictured), formerly of Reading and Stoke City, who is now without a club after just leaving Portsmouth.​

​

The evidence includes: a mention in his column two weeks ago about once being flattened by Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia (there is a YouTube clip of such an incident); another piece from last season expressing empathy with Liverpool’s £35m flop Andy Carroll (Kitson was once Stoke’s record signing but failed to score in his first 18 games and was eventually shipped out); plus a further mention of being relegated from the Premier League and regretting immediately leaving for a rival top flight club (Kitson has said many times how he should never have left Reading after their 2008 relegation for Stoke).​

​

Furthermore, Kitson started his career at lowly Cambridge United, before quickly impressing and getting his move to Reading. In his early career, the Secret Footballer also became “a big fish in a small pond” - and that may not be a reference to his career at The Guardian.​

I agree it does seem to point towards kitson,but regarding the Valencia incident....I was expecting him to be literally helped out of the stands by fans....but after viewing it Kitson stays on his feet.
The colour of his twitter avatar is another clue(bright orange)
My second choice is Danny murphy....there's something about his dour persona evident through his punditry...which could very well be me mistaking depression for a dour personality.There's also a mention in the book regarding Harrods hampers everywhere whenever a player has a baby and yes,I know al fayid has sold Harrods but there seems to be a fulham link there.
1 things for sure though...if it turns out to be that bog rat Joey Barton,I want my money back.

 

[haslemereyid]

Chances are it is pulled from several sources. One of them is definitely Kitson though....I think.

This is what the ES had the other week...

Spy hears it is Dave Kitson, the striker (pictured), formerly of Reading and Stoke City, who is now without a club after just leaving Portsmouth.​

​

The evidence includes: a mention in his column two weeks ago about once being flattened by Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia (there is a YouTube clip of such an incident); another piece from last season expressing empathy with Liverpool’s £35m flop Andy Carroll (Kitson was once Stoke’s record signing but failed to score in his first 18 games and was eventually shipped out); plus a further mention of being relegated from the Premier League and regretting immediately leaving for a rival top flight club (Kitson has said many times how he should never have left Reading after their 2008 relegation for Stoke).​

​

Furthermore, Kitson started his career at lowly Cambridge United, before quickly impressing and getting his move to Reading. In his early career, the Secret Footballer also became “a big fish in a small pond” - and that may not be a reference to his career at The Guardian.​

I listened to an interview with the editor in charge of TSF series - he said it was only one guy - the articles came about because the footballer read an article about the secret life of an estate agent and thought he could do something similiar

The editor said TSF writes all the articles himself and is subject to no more editing than most other columns. He described TSF as highly intelligent but very very cynical about his time in the football world. He also said TSF is coming to the later stages of his career.

 

[L-man]

I'm sure I saw Robbie Savage say on twitter that it was almost a nobody and not even worth talking about (maybe it's him!). I'll try find the tweets

EDIT:

Robbie Savage ‏@RobbieSavage8
Haha just been told who secret footballer was ! I think writing that column is the highlight of his career ! Hahahaha

The 2 below were written before the above, maybe Savage was just having a dig as it doesn't like what he's doing. Or does TSF criticise Savage at all, I haven't read the column or the book (planning to soon).

Robbie Savage ‏@RobbieSavage8
The "secret" footballer hahaha probably was a shite one anyway who's jealous of all the successful ones !


Robbie Savage ‏@RobbieSavage8
Whos the secret footballer,whoever he is he's a shithouse telling stories about players, changing rooms etc behind a paper grow some balls!

 

[Bromavinci]

Sure it will come out at some point. My curiosity was perked a bit. More than likely some bumpy I have never heard of

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

I don't think Savage really understands the point.

Dave Kitson writes an autobiography - four Reading fans buy it.
The 'Secret' Football writes a book - thousands buy it.

 

[danielneeds]

I'm sure I saw Robbie Savage say on twitter that it was almost a nobody and not even worth talking about (maybe it's him!). I'll try find the tweets

EDIT:

Robbie Savage ‏@RobbieSavage8
Haha just been told who secret footballer was ! I think writing that column is the highlight of his career ! Hahahaha

The 2 below were written before the above, maybe Savage was just having a dig as it doesn't like what he's doing. Or does TSF criticise Savage at all, I haven't read the column or the book (planning to soon).

Robbie Savage ‏@RobbieSavage8
The "secret" footballer hahaha probably was a shite one anyway who's jealous of all the successful ones !


Robbie Savage ‏@RobbieSavage8
Whos the secret footballer,whoever he is he's a shithouse telling stories about players, changing rooms etc behind a paper grow some balls!

God, Savage is right dick. TSF has written some excellent pieces on depression in football and what really happens, given what happened tho his best mate, you'd think Savage would give it a read.

 

[Krafty]

I think Savage's problem is that TSF slagged him off recently.

 

[vavaboom]

I think Savage's problem is that TSF slagged him off recently.

What did he say? I'm intrigued!

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Has anyone suggested a conglomeration of more than one person? It's possible.

 

[Krafty]

What did he say? I'm intrigued!

The usual. A whiney prima donna, who the TSF thought was alright until one day when he hacked him down or moaned or something, i.e. he could dish is out butt couldnt take it.

 

[whitechina]

Sorry for the bump, but was it ever answered who TSF was?
I had this urge to find an answer after seeing one of his books in my office yesterday, but I can't find it (TBF maybe I'm just dumb)

 

[JSpurs1]

Sorry for the bump, but was it ever answered who TSF was?
I had this urge to find an answer after seeing one of his books in my office yesterday, but I can't find it (TBF maybe I'm just dumb)

General consensus is it’s Dave Kitson.